Hilary Duff admits her biggest musical mistake and why she admires Miley Cyrus

Since 2007's Dignity, Hilary Duff has been focused on her personal life: She married former NHL player Mike Comrie in 2010, had a son and then divorced in 2014. She's now back to the professional grind with a new show, TV Land's Younger, and a new album, Breathe In. Breathe Out., due June 16 on RCA. The former Lizzie McGuire star, 27, gives her musical point of view.

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My favorite new-album track:
" 'One in a Million.' It's a 'f-- you' anthem about a guy who's not treating you right."

My biggest musical struggle:
"Finding my actual voice again. If you're not using your voice, you lose confidence in it."

My pop hero:
"Britney Spears. Growing up I was a huge fan -- along with every other girl."

Watch Hilary Duff Perform Acoustic Version of 'Tattoo'

My biggest mistake:
"A terrible song, 'The Math,' on my first album. I got forced into recording it. It's just super cheesy."

My most emotional new song:
" 'Tattoo,' co-written by Ed Sheeran. It's a beautiful song about a relationship ending and what it leaves behind."

Check Out Hilary Duff's 'Breathe In. Breathe Out.' Tracklist

My favorite fellow Disney alum:
"Miley Cyrus. I commend her for not giving a f--- what people think."

My reality check:
"I sang [2004 hit] 'Come Clean' on a radio show, and it made me feel old. I recorded that when I was 16. It means something totally different to me now than it did back then."

Listen to Hilary Duff (as well as the other artists featured in this issue) in the playlist below:

This story originally appeared in the July 4 issue of Billboard.

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